The personal care industry is well aware of the importance of silicones in certain products. However, little market data has been reported on the use of silicones worldwide. According to a report by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) titled the "Socio-Economic Study on Silicones in Europe," silicones are linked to nearly 250,000 European firms, CEPS reported at its seminar on competitiveness and sustainability.

The study revealed that silicones have become a staple ingredient for almost 100,000 firms. Enterprises benefiting from silicones rise to nearly 250,000 when indirect firms and service providers are included. According to group, the study confirms that the versatility and ability of silicones to enhance performance allows them to be used by thousands of companies, supporting jobs, stimulating innovation and creating wealth via an exceptionally diverse range of final products--from wind turbines, automobiles and advanced glazing, to medical equipment, detergents and computers.

Further findings include: • Six major silicone producers in Europe are at the base of a value chain generating €9 billion of wealth per year for the region; • 7,500 jobs depend directly on silicone production, with a further 139,000 in downstream industries. Overall, silicones affect 1.3 million jobs; • Silicones represent €1.7 billion of basic chemicals and facilitate €61 billion of transactions through the value chain to final products; • Construction and electrical and electronics are the leading end-use sectors by value of final products; and • The sector is growing strongly, well above the average for European economic growth.

CES commissioned the study from specialist consultants De Walque & Associates as part of the silicone industry’s commitment to provide regulators with high quality data, to maximize transparency, and to understand in-depth the role of its products in the European economy.